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Ethno-medicinal Plants Use by the Manipuri Tribal Community in Bangladesh

Md. Parvez Rana
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Md. Shawkat Islam Sohel
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Sayma Akhter
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-3114, Bangladesh

Md. Jahirul Islam
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Minato-Ku, 106-8677 Tokyo, Japan

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An ethno-medicinal investigation was conducted to understand the traditional knowledge of medicinal plants being used by the Manipuri tribe in Bangladesh. The present study was done through structured questionnaires in consultations with the tribal practitioners. A total 32 plant species belonging to 26 families and 29 genera were found to use for curing 37 ailments. Results show that the use of aboveground plant parts was higher (86%) than the underground plant parts (14%). Leaf was used in the majority of cases for medicinal preparation (17 species) followed by bark, fruit, root/rhizome, whole plant, seed and flower. Among the 32 plant species, they were mainly used to treat dysentery (10 species), followed by fever and rheumatism (5 species each); asthma, constipation, wounds and skin diseases (4 species each); cold ailments, cough and diarrhea (3 species each). The study revealed that 72% plant species investigated were used to cure more than one ailment. About 75% medicinal plants were taken orally followed by externally (9%) and both orally and externally (16%). The study thus underscores the potentials of the ethno-botanical research and the need for the documentation of indigenous healthcare knowledge pertaining to the medicinal plant utilization for the greater benefit of mankind.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Indigenous healthcare practice; Manipur tribe; Medicinal plants

Location: Badaler gaon and Jhaper gaon villages of Madhobpur union of the kamalganj upazila (sub-district) under the Maulvibazar district, Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-07-2008

End Date: 00-12-2008

Program Area: Development of Host and Medicinal Plants

Commodity: Medicinal Plants

Objectives:

But no study has been conducted on indigenous healthcare practice of Manipuri tribe. Thus it is urgently needed to explore their perception and indigenous healthcare practice about medicinal plants. The study was undertaken to ascertain those in Sylhet region, Bangladesh. Its aim was to assess plant-based ethno-medicinal practice and document IK associated with it.

Methodology:

Study area The study was conducted during July-December 2008 at Badaler gaon and Jhaper gaon villages of Madhobpur union (a rural administrative unit consists of a number of villages) of the kamalganj upazila (sub-district) under the Maulvibazar district, Bangladesh. The total area of Kamalganj upazila consists of 48 526 ha, including forest area of 8 202 ha, and it is bounded by Moulvibazar Sadar and Rajnagar upazilas on the north, Tripura (India) on the south, Kulaura and Tripura (India) on the east, Sreemangal and Moulvibazar Sadar on the west. It lies between 24°08' and 24°28' north latitudes and between 91°46' and 91°57' east longitudes. About 23% area of the upazila is hilly (BBS 2001). The upazila is constituted with three topographical regions i.e. hilly region, valley alluvium soil region and surma-kushiare alluvium soil region. The total arable land is 22 672 ha, non-agricultural land 8 748 ha, fallow land 506 ha and khash land 787.44 ha. The soil of this upazilla is generally sandy-loam soil. One of the richest semi-evergreen hill forests of Bangladesh is located in this region. This forest is dominated by tree species, including Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia belerica, Azadirachta indica, Artocarpus chaplasha, Tetramefes nudiflora, Pterygota alata, Dipterocarpus spp., Swintonia floribunda, Anthocephalus chinensis, Trewia nudiflora, and Lagerstroemia speciosa (Ahmed et al. 2008).

Methods Out of seven upazilas of Moulvibazar district, the Monipuri tribe mainly concentrates in the hilly areas Kamalgang upazila. Madhobpur union of Kamalgang upazila was inhabited mostly by the Manipuri tribe. Therefore this union was selected purposively. A list of the Manipuri hamlets was collected. Six hamlets were finally selected at random from the list for the study. From each of the six hamlets, 10 households were selected randomly. Thus, a total of 60 households were selected from the study area. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to ascertain the plant species and the parts used, for what diseases, the sources they prefer, the reasons for cultivating any plant and the eagerness of the younger generation in this regard. The plant species used for medicine were firstly identified by local names. The scientific names were obtained by consulting the literature. A final list of the species used for medicinal purposes was prepared based on the study by Dey (2006). The methods of utilization of plant species were obtained from skilled and experienced older members of the tribal community.

Source of Information: Journal of Forestry Research (2010) 21(1): 85?92

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI 10.1007/s11676-010-0015-1

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results indicate that plenty of medicinal plants are found in the study area and used by the traditional ways to treat a wide spectrum of human ailments. Further work should focus on the thorough phytochemical investigation such as alkaloid extraction and isolation along with few clinical trials. This could help in creating mass awareness regarding the need for conservation of such plants and also in promoting ethno-medico-botany knowledge within the region. This also contributes to the preservation and enrichment of the gene bank of such economically important species before they are lost forever. While there is issue on the conservation of biological diversity all over the world, Manipuri tribe is using plants for their health care in a sustainable manner. They cultivate rare plants and ultimately have developed arboretum for plants conservation. For a complete understanding of the traditional medicinal knowledge of the Manipuri tribe, chemical analysis of the respective plant parts should be undertaken more frequently.

Knowledge Management: Journal